Resilient axle steering gear



7 Ju1y14,.1936. CfOPQLO 2,047,287

RESI'LIENT AXLE STEERING GEARv 'Filed Jan. ,5, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 @www July 14, 1936. c. oPoLo RESILIENT AXLE STEERING GEAR Filed Jan. 3, 1935 2 Sheets-'Sheet 2 ll il Y/27 Ven/.0f C @/00/0 @y i www, z//Ofyyey Patented Juiy 14,; 1936 v 13 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in resilient axles and steering gears therefor. this being of a type in which the' axle sections carrying the wheels arehinged or pivoted to the frame of the vehicle Aby longitudinally extendingpintles. or the like. These axle sections have a spring mounting so that each half axle section may have an' independent up and down movement without materially ailecting the other half axle section. i

My present invention may be considered as an improvement on, and further development -of the invention' of my applications, Serial No. 722,268, illed April 25, 1934, entitled Flexible axle for vehicles, and Serial No. 714,971, filed March 10,v 1934,

entitled Flexible axle for vehicles, and of my Patent No. 1,978,114, issued October 23, 1934, maturing from application Serial No. 716,831, filed March 22, 1934, Double action axle.

In my present invention the vehicle frame' has a bracket at its forward end extending downwardly,` and to this bracket there is pivoted a double axle lever. l The connection'between the bracket and the lever employs a single central pintle. Each axle section is pivoted to the outer end of the axle lever by a longitudinally extending pintle and each half axle thus developed has the steering knuckle and steering wheels mounted thereon.

With this type of construction, one of the objects and features of my invention is employing a spring assembly between each half axle section and the vehicle frame in which I employ a. coiled 35 helical spring between special spring mountings on each half axle section, and a depending structure from the vehicle frame. A'further feature of my invention in regard to the springs and spring seats is the employment of a type of seat which causes each spring to act both as a tension and as a compression spring by ilrmly securing one end of each spring to the structure depending from the `vehicle frame and the other end of each spring to the spring seat on the half axle section.

A vfurther object and feature oi.' my invention in regard to the spring mounting is constructing the springseats of suitable blocks preferably cylindrical and having helical grooves formed therein. The end portions of the spring 50 are threaded onto these grooves-and thus these springs are nrmly and securely attached to the.

spring seat blocks du'e to their resiliency.' Hence,

when the spring seat blocks are attached respectively to the vertical frame and tothe half 55 axle sections, the coil springs function to develop both a compressive and extension action.

Another object and feature of my invention in the above type of axle is a steering mechanism having jointed links, the links connecting to bell 00 cranks on the yokes oi.' the steering knuckles. A

(Cl. 28o-124) further detailed feature is employing a transverse link formed with a jointed section extending between the bell cranks on the the knuckle yokes, this link preferably being' located back of the axle and in substantially the plane of the main action of the axle.

A further detailed feature consists of locating the joints in the cross link so that when the vehicle is travelling in a straight direction the joint is substantially in vertical and horizontal alignment with the pintle of the axle lever. Thus, the steering link accommodates itself or pivots for straight-ahead driving on substantially the same longitudinal axis as the axle sections pivot when each half axle operates independently of the other, or both react simultaneously to bumps or depressions in the road. With my invention the transverse steering link may be reciprocated with across motion by any suitable steering mechanism,

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation taken in the direction of the arrow I of Fig. 2, the frame being shown in section.'

Fig. 2 is substantially a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 oi Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation taken in the direction ofthe arrow 3 of Fig. 2, the frame being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section on 4the line 4 4 of Figs. 2 and 3, taken in the direction of. the arrows.

In the drawings a portion of a vehicle frame l I 'is indicated, this having longitudinal side beam I2 in the form of channels with the iianges turned inwardly. A transverse brace. member i3 is formed of two angles il and Wconnected at their opposite ends to the channel beams. A bracket i8 depends from this transverse member, such bracket having a top plate l1, a front end plate Il and a rear endplate I9. AIT-shaped longitudinal bar is centrally located in the bracket and has a depending web 2l.

Y A single central pintle extends through the front and rear plates I8 and 12. This is illustrated las'bein'g in the form of a 'bolt and has a pair of end bushings 28-21 thereon, and a hub 28 50 of a transverse double lever 29 which double lever has a front and a rear lever arm 30 and 3 I2 Thus, the hub with the front and rear lever arms act as a unit in pivoting on the central pintle 25.

There are two half axle sections each of which has an axle arm 38 and a forwardly extending brace arm 31. These are connected to a hub v3B formed integral andthe hubis pivoted on secondary longitudinal pintles 39 whichare mounted in the opposite ends of the double lever arms VIB 60 2 nomas? and. Il. These secondary pintles are in the form o! bolts. Stop lingers 45 are formed integral with the rear arm 5I oi the double lever 25 and extend below the main axle sections 55 and limit the 5 downward movement of these axle sections on their pintles 55.

A spring assembly designated by the numeral 55 has a central springseat 45 which is formed of two spring seat blocks 41 cylindrical on their outside surfaces and each having a helical groove 45.

A bolt 45 extends through each of these blocks and the web 2| of the T-shaped bar 20, the bolt heads being counter-sunk in recesses 55, there being one recess in each block. Complementary spring seats 5i employ a bracket 52 secured to or fformed integral with each axle section 38. Each .of these brackets has a recess 55. Spring seat blocks 54 are illustrated as cylindrical on their outside surfaces and each has a helical groove on its outside surface. An extension 55 fits in the recess 55 and each block 5I is secured to the bracket 52 by a bolt 55, the bolt head being A countersunk in a recess 51. 'There are two coiled springs 55 employed, each of which has one end threaded in the groove on the seat block attached to the web 2|, and hence to the frame o1' the vehicle. The other end o1' each spring is threaded on the block 54 in the helical groove and is thus attached to the springvseat on each half axle section.

Therefore, these springs each act as compression and tension springs. When either or both halt axle sections move upwardly relative to the vehicle frame they cause a compression of the spring between each half axle section and the vehicle frame, whereas, if these axle sections move downwardly, they exert a tension on the spring or at least, relieve the compression. By this construction therefore, the ends of each spring are securely attached to a fixed and a movable spring seat. Manifestly, the double lever 25 may also swing in a vertical plane on its main pintle 25 and thus give an additional ilexibility to the operation of each half axle section in the upand down movement of one of these independent of the other. It will therefore be seen that by my constructiony either half axle section may move up and down inresponse to bumps or depressions in the road independent of the other Y half axle section.

'I'he steering mechanism designated by the assembly numeral 55 employs conventional steering knuckles 55, each oi' which has a hub 51 secured to the axle section 55. A yoke 55 is pivoted to the 'i 55 hub by a spindle 55. Each yoke has a wheel axle 15 and secured to the lower arm 1I of the yoke there is a bell crank steering arm 12. Y

A transverse link assembly 15 is formed oi' two link sections 15 and 11 pivoted at their center by a longitudinal pivot 15 and pivoted to each steering bell crank 12 at 15. When the vehicle is travelling in a normal forward direction, the pintle or hinge 15 ior the link sections 15 and 11 is substantially in axial alignment with the mainpintle 25 oi the axle sections. A The vehicle is steered by employing a steering bell crank which is illustrated as having a short arm Il and a long arm 52 pivoted at their junco tion angle by a pivot pin 55 secured to one of the main axle sections 55. The arm 5I is illustrated ashaving a ball 54 to form a, connection with a link or other device which may be actuated manually in steering the vehicle. The arm 52 has a '75 somewhat loose pivotal connection 55 to the link section 11. A 'steadying arm 55 is pivoted at one end 51 to the axle section 55 opposite to that having the bell crank 55. The outer end of the arm -55 has a somewhat loose pivotal connectionl 55 to the link sections 15 of the main transverse link 15. 5

'Ihe manner o! operating and functioning of the steering mechanism and steering links is substantially as follows:

In conjunction with the ilexible axle construction; When the vehicle is travelling' in a straight l0 forward direction and either or both halt axle sections 55 swing up or down on their pintles le or these axle sections having a movement with the double lever 25 swing on both the pintles 25 and sa, therefore the half link sections 1:- 11 15 may have an up or downward movement either simultaneously or one independent of the other turning on their central joint 15. Therefore, the link mechanism conforms to the up and down movement of the axle sections and in straight 20 ahead driving, the hinge 15, as above mentioned, is in substantial alignment with the main pintle 25. However, in steering the wheels of the vehicle to make it turn, the hinge 15 is moved slightly out er nignment with the pintle z5, but even 2" when moved to its extreme in either direction, each link section 15 and 11 may swing upwardly or downwardly to respond to the movement of the half axle section with which it is associated. The vehicle may thus be steered in either direction 30 and the half axle sections and the steering link 15 accommodate itself to the independent or joint movement of the half axle sections inresponding to bumps or depressions in the road.

In the drawings I have illustrated the steadying arm 55. Where the transverse link 15 only has one joint or hinge such as 15 such steadying arm is hardly necessary, but, however, it will be apparentthat if it is desired to give greater flexibility to the transverse link 15 I may have additional 40 joints in which case it is desirable to use a steadying arm such as 55, it being borne in mind that the pivotal connection 55 to the transverse link has a more or less loose connection to allow full iiexibility to the steering link as the axle sections work up and down in the travel of the vehicle over a rough road.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit .30 or scope of the invention as denned by the ap pended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle, the combination of a vehicle trame having a central bracket, a pair oi' axle 55 sections. means forming a pivotal connection between the axle sections and the bracket, such pivotal connection extending longitudinally, a spring seat on the bracket, a pair oi spring seats one on each axle section, springs secured between to the seats, the said, seats engaging the spring to cause the spring to act on contraction and on extension, each spring being substantially parallel to an axle section. the said pivotal connection having a central pintle ,secured to the brackc; et. each axle section having a steering knuckle with an arm connected thereto, a link connecting the said arms, said link having a hinged' Joint, the Joint, when the vehicle is travelling in a straight direction being substantially aligned ,-3 with the central pintle, means to actuate the said link, the means to operate the link comprising a bell crank pivoted to one oi the axle sections, said bell crank having an arm connected to one portion oi' the link and a second arm pivoted to 75 t 2,047,281 another section of the axle and also to anotherv section of the link.

2. In a vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame having a centrally depending bracket, two half axle sections, means forming a' pivotal connection between said axle sections and the bracket, said connection having a central pintle, a

spring seat secured to the upper portion of each half axle, a complementary spring seat'secured to the bracket, 'coiled springs connected to saidv seats, said springs having each of their axes substantially parallel to the axle section to which it is connected, and the connection of the springs to the seats causing the springs to act in compression'and extension.

3. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, the spring seats having helical grooves, the springs having a helical coil, the ends of the coils being threaded in the said grooves and thereby providing the means for attaching the springs to the seats.

4. In a vehicle asclaimed in claim 2, each half y axle section having a steering knuckle pivoted thereto, each knuckle having a movable yoke with an arm connected thereto, a link in a plurality of sections pivotally connected. to each arm, the sections and the `links being hinged together, the said hinge, when the vehicle is travelling in a straight direction, being in substantial alignment with the pintle,4 and means torecipr'ocate the link transversely of thevehicle.

5. In a vehicle, a vehicle frame having 'a depending bracket, a double lever pivoted to the bracket on a longitudinal pintle, two half axle sections each pivoted at its inner end to an outer end of the double lever, a brace having a spring seat connected to each axle section, a pair of complementary spring seats secured to the bracket, a pair of coiled springs each having one end secured to one of the seats on the bracket and the seat on an axle, each spring having its axis substantially parallel to the half axle section.

6. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 5, each axle section having a mounting for a steering wheel,

a transverse link connected at its opposite ends to each mounting, the said link having a hinge.

the said hinge, whenthe vehicle is travelling in a straight direction being substantially in alignment With the pintle of the double levers.

7. In a vehicle as claimed in claiml 5, each vspring seatrbeing formed of a cylindrical block having a helical groove on its periphery, each end of a coilspring being threaded in one of the grooves 'of a block and thereby securing the springs to the blocks whereby the springs each act to effect both compression and extension.

8. In a vehicle, a vehicle frame having a transverse member with a depending main bracket, the main bracket having a depending web, with a pair oi cylindrical blocks secured thereto on opposite sides, two axle sections, means pivotally connecting said sections to the mainbracket. a secondary bracket secured to each axle section, a cylindrical spring seat block secured to each secondary bracket', each of the blocks having a heiical groove, a pair of helically coiled springs, each spring having its opposite ends engaging respectively one of the blocks on the main bracket, and a block on a secondary bracket. whereby each spring may react to both compression and 'it is connected.

9. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 8, the means `pivoting each vaxle section to the main bracket comprising a. double lever pivoted to the main bracket by a main longitudinal pintle andy each axle section being pivoted at its inner end to an outer end o! the double lever.

10. In a vehicle, the combinationy of a vehicle frame, a double lever pivoted to the said frame 5 by a longitudinal pintle at about the center of the frame; two axle sections each pivoted at its inner end to an outer end of the double lever, each axle section having a steering means for a wheel with an arm connected thereto, a transverse steer- 10 ing link formedl in a ilrst and second section, the outer ends of each section being secured to .one of the said arms, the sections vof the link having a hinge with a longitudinal pintle, the pintle of the double lever and the pintle oi.' the hinge b eing 15 in substantial alignment when the vehicle is travelling in a straight direction, and means to link., 5

11.` In a vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame having a transverse member with a bracket having a front and a rear depending plate anda central depending web between the plates. a double lever having a front and a rear arm pivoted 3p to the plates of the bracket by a central longitudinal pintle, the arms ofthe double lever being located each adjacent one of the said plates, two half axle sections each having a main axle arm and a forwardly extending brace arm, the main arm and brace arm being pivotally connected at their inner ends to the outer ends of the arms forming the double lever by a secondary longitudinal pintle. a vspring seat secured on each side of the depending web oi the bracket, a secondary bracket secured to each of the main axle ,arm sections, and each having a spring seat and a e spring between each of the latter seats and one oi' the spring seats secured to the web.

12. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 11, the spring seats secured to the web each being cylindrical on its outside surface andsecured to the web bv a. transverse bolt, each of the spring seats secured to the secondary brackets being cylindrical at its outside surface and secured to the secondary bracket by a bolt, all of the spring seats having a helical groove on the cylindrical surface and each spring being helical with its ends threaded in the groove on the spring seat secured to the web and to the secondary bracket.

13. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 11. the outer ends of each main axle section having a steeringV knuckle for a wheel including a yoke with a steering arm connected to each yoke, a o transverse steering link'i'ormed in a nrst and a ,second section, the outer ends of each section main pintle oi' the double lever being in substantial alignmentV when the vehicle is travelling in a straight direction, abell crank pivotally con.. nected to one of the axle sections and having an arm pivotally connected to the first section of the link, a steadying arm pivotally connected to the other main section of the axle and having a pivotal connection to the second section of the link.

.Cm'iRLlizsi oPoLo, 'l5 

